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Ruby Dee Wins Lifetime Achievement … er … Supporting Actress Award

Judging from the standing ovation, Ruby Dees win for supporting actress is a popular choice. Its certainly a surprise. Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone) and Cate Blanchett (Im Not There) have won all the major critics prizes — and with good reason.

Dee? Yes, she had a nice scene or two playing Denzels mom, but the cumulative effect (and there really wasnt much to accumulate, was there?) was a tad overwrought. Giving her an award for this thin piece of work proves that SAG — like the Academy — isnt above giving a pat on the back for a career of quality acting and, in Dees case, exemplary civil rights work.

If the category was weak, that wouldnt stick in my craw. But Blanchett nailed both the mannerisms and the spirit of Dylans mid-Sixties Cosmic Trickster. This was no mere impersonation. This was inhabitation.

And youre going to ignore that just because the 83-year-old Dee is well, OK, shes an American treasure. Thats what lifetime achievement awards are for. This just seems misguided.